Yeah. And it's esp. nice to go shooting without need for that annoying flash.
That way you get much better pictures.
But watch out, 50mm handheld can be quite shaky. So look out for good support (in this case I assume you ut your elbows at the table?)!

It was the first time since 3 or 4 years that I shoot with one 50mm. I forgot that using a 50mm could be so tricky.

I had to use manual focus in the first place since auto focusing in low light was sometimes difficult. Then, low light made me use my elbows as tripod on the table, and for first shots with the lens, the quality is acceptable.

Carlos, is the 50mm your only lens at the mo?
If you want to go wider and don't bother to stay with DX (vs. expensive FX/FF capable lenses) you might consider one of the new stabilized kit lenses, esp. the rumoured DX VR 16-85mm. That should be a nice all-around lens...

Definitely I want a wide wide lens without having to spend more with a stabilized lens. I know the advantages I get from one of those but a $200 or plus difference with standard lenses is something to consider.

I know once my budget allows it I'll try to buy one IS lens, but for now I prefer to suffer a little, use my elbows and hold my breath

Hi all, was thinking about getting this lens, mainly as it is so cheap that there seems little reason not to get it, and I'd like to get some really good portraits with nice background blur. Thing is, as you'll see in my signature, I already have a good lens to cover the 50mm range with a maximum aperture of 2.8, and that seems great for these kinds of pictures anyway. So how much difference would I see between f2.8 and f1.8? Enough to make it worth getting this lens? By that, I don't really mean make it worth spending the money, as it is so cheap, but make it worth switching lenses every now and then for a slightly smaller DOF?

You can see it yourself. I have one photo at f1.8. Try to shoot one photo with the same settings as I did at your max aperture. At f2.8 you should be able to compare bokeh and DOF between your maximum aperture against f1.8. You will be able to see the difference.

I think this 50mm is a must for those who don't want to spend $300 on one 50mm f1.4 or $1200+ on one 50mm f1.2

Well, here are a couple of pics with blurry backgrounds taken at f2.8, I like the backgrounds on these, but I appreciate that there is room for more blur. Do you reckon the f1.8 qould make much difference here?